Abstract: An envelope insert conveyor assembly includes a first pair of rotation members and a second pair of rotation members spaced apart from one another. A first conveying member is disposed around the first pair of rotation members, and a second conveying member is disposed around the second pair of rotation members, so that the conveying members rotate around the first rotation member and the second rotation member. A plurality of pusher members are fixed to each of the first conveying member and second conveying member. The pusher members each have paired sidewalls, a cross-wall connecting the paired walls, and an indented portion provided in each of the paired sidewalls. A gripping element is disposed adjacent an indented portion of one of the paired sidewalls and biased toward an interior surface of the indented portion.

Abstract: A high-speed envelope transport and insertion machine includes a slip-drive system having a plurality of belts configured to move envelopes along an envelope path at a first speed, an envelope transmission device disposed to input envelopes into the slip-drive system, an envelope stuffing device comprising a registration member and a drive member having a plurality of spaced-apart gripping members disposed to move continously between the slip-drive system and the envelope stuffing device at a second speed less than the first speed. The path of the gripping members and the envelopes crosses within the slip-drive system to permit the gripping member to engage and grip the envelope. The gripping member is configured to release the envelope upon registration of the envelope against the registration member of the envelope stuffing device.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring grouped resources. A system and method of monitoring resource units in a stack is provided. The system and method includes providing a group of resource units and determining a thickness of one or more of the resource units. The system and method also includes indicating when the group of resource units reaches a predetermined size after one or more of the resource units has been moved from the group.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method of automatically stuffing folder pockets includes providing a folder with one or more pockets; providing one or more inserts which can be of differing sizes; the accumulation of the one or more inserts in a stack for insertion into the one or more pockets of the folder; opening the one or more pockets of the folder; and the insertion of the accumulated stack of the one or more inserts into the one or more folder pockets. Predetermined inserts can be selectively processed and stuffed into selected folder pockets. An embodiment also can fold the folder, producing a final product of a stuffed folder ready for distribution.

Abstract: A collector apparatus and method capable of collecting material in two modes of operation, flats and letters. With a minor adjustment, the apparatus can be transformed from a two-stage device optimal for the letter mode of operation, to a one-stage device optimal for the flats mode of operation. The apparatus includes a first staging area, a second staging area generally disposed downstream from the first staging area, and a conveying device. The first staging area includes a first staging surface and a first stage transport assembly, and the second staging area includes a second staging surface and a second stage transport assembly. The conveying device is adjustable between the flats and letters modes. In the letters mode position, the conveying device provides a first material flow path running through the first and second staging areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying, relative to pre-established rules, information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises a weighing device for measuring weight of articles being processed, an image acquisition device for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article, a thickness detecting device for measuring the thickness of articles being processed, a processing device for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article, and a processing device for verifying acquired data against the pre-established rules. A number of reports are generated after processing to provide the results of the processing.

Abstract: A computerized method for learning a delivery point of a first mail piece by using unmatched and/or unused data from at least one other mail piece is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to individually weigh continuously fed mail pieces wherein each mail piece is configured in a vertical orientation and fed through the weighing system in seriatim. The apparatus contains a scale transport assembly for transporting mail pieces seriatim, a mail piece channel pathway assembly for maintaining the vertical orientation of individual mail pieces, a load cell assembly for measuring the mail piece weight, an x-y table assembly for allowing position adjustments of the weighing system, data collection circuitry, and a support module. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with bulk mail processing systems or it can be used independently.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in a networked postal computing environment for centralizing collected data and generating post processing reports to facilitate near real-time access of selected data by authorized users, and involving the steps of collecting data from a plurality of networked mail processing apparatus operating in a mail processing environment. The collected data is transmitted to a data collection and processing server, having a web interface application, for storage in an associated database. The data collection and processing server preferably provide secure user access via a user web browser application. A user can then request retrieval of selected data stored in the database to the data collection and processing server. The selected data is then retrieved and one or more interactive web pages with the selected data are generated and presented to the user. The collected data relates to mail job data, mailer data, and operation and performance data for mail verification apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet accumulating apparatus accumulates inputted sheets into a stack registered on all sides, wherein the sheets are controlled with minimum contact by components of the apparatus to minimize or eliminate smudging or marking of the sheets. The apparatus can be selectively adjusted to effect over-accumulation or under-accumulation, and can be adjusted to accommodate different sheet sizes. The apparatus comprises an accumulation section defining a sheet feed plane therethrough. An upper ramp is disposed upstream from the accumulation section and is movable into and out of the sheet feed plane. An upper retaining member is linked to the upper ramp and is movable into and out of the sheet feed plane in alternating relation to the upper ramp. A lower ramp is disposed below the upper ramp and is movable into and out of the sheet feed plane in alternating relation to the upper ramp.

Abstract: An integrated computer system architecture for tracking of job data in a document processing environment including an infrastructure built on processes, hardware, software and interfaces designed to monitor and control mail processing and data collection through a variety of manual and machine processes in real-time. Computers, networks, web-based applications, databases and scanners are used to interface and integrate traditional mail processing equipment with customized software. The invention integrates the entire mail production process to form and establish a complete end-to-end system. A job tracking scheme is detailed illustrating a particular data mining application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed tray unloading and mail transporting includes a tray unloading apparatus which receives a continuous stream of mail trays and sequentially unloads them in proper orientation onto a conveyor assembly; a dual conveyor system for delivering the unloaded mail to a transport system; and a spiral transport system having optimal drive means for controllably moving mail pieces from one location to another.

Abstract: A document handling apparatus for processing sheets comprises a dynamic in-feed device, a sheet receiving section disposed downstream from the dynamic in-feed device, and an electronic controller. The dynamic in-feed device comprises a sheet-driving device and a variable-speed motor operatively engaging the sheet-driving device. The dynamic in-feed device inputs a sheet according to a repeatable dynamic speed profile. The dynamic speed profile is defined by an initial input speed, a subsequent decelerating or accelerating speed curve, and a final input speed that is less than the initial input speed. The electronic controller communicates with the variable-speed motor for executing the dynamic speed profile and controlling the input device according to the dynamic speed profile.

Abstract: An illuminating system for emitting a uniform amount of intense scattered light. The illumination system comprises an integrated chamber having a cavity large enough to contain at least two florescent lamps and a reflective interior surface. The chamber is further comprised of a front surface and rear surface. The front surface of the elongated chamber has an elongated opening (i.e. front opening) for emitting the light directed from the florescent lamps and the rear surface has a corresponding elongated opening (i.e. rear opening) aligned with the front opening. This rear opening allows a scanning mechanism, such as a camera, to read any information being illuminated through the front opening of the illuminating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed tray unloading and mail transporting includes a tray unloading apparatus which receives a continuous stream of mail trays and sequentially unloads them in proper orientation onto a conveyor assembly; a dual conveyor system for delivering the unloaded mail to a transport system; and a spiral transport system having optimal drive means for controllably moving mail pieces from one location to another.

Abstract: In an inserting apparatus and method such as the continuous motion type, a motion controller electrically communicates with an encoder, a first motor driving an insert conveyor assembly, a second motor driving an envelope conveyor assembly, and an actuator operatively interfaced with a peripheral device. The motion controller controls insert conveyor assembly speed, envelope conveyor assembly speed, and the rotational position at which the actuator should be activated, based on the encoder signal. Once during every master cycle, the motion controller calculates the actuator activation position, and causes the first actuator to be activated at the calculated first actuator activation position.

Abstract: Automated methods and systems for analyzing data associated with an industrial process parse data entries received from devices in an industrial process, such as a mail or paper processing system. The parsing can include applying state machines to the data to identify events and produce output relating to the process for which the data is being analyzed. Statistical measures are computed for the output from each of the state machines. The statistical measures are compared to design limits. Output is displayed to the user in a format that facilitates interpretation of the data.

Abstract: An accumulator apparatus and method are provided for accumulating sheet articles. The accumulator apparatus includes an upper belt system and lower belt system operative for advancing sheet articles in seriatim manner therebetween. Guide rollers are provided at the entrance of the sheet articles between the upper and lower belt systems for guiding the sheet articles therebetween without pinching. Nip rollers are provided downstream from the entry guide rollers for pulling sheet articles into the accumulator apparatus between the guide rollers and the nip rollers. A ramp system operative for deflecting advancing sheet articles is provided downstream from the nip rollers. Sheet articles deflected by the ramp assembly can then be accumulated in an accumulation location where the lower belt system is maintained in a spaced-apart position below the accumulation location such that the lower belt system cannot contact or mark sheet articles accumulated therein.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering information to a user in one or more preferred delivery media are provided. Preferred delivery media includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, HTML, fax, printed copy, and mail. A user profile, indicating a user's preferred delivery medium (or media), is retrievably stored. When a user requests information, the user's profile is searched to determine the preferred delivery medium (or media) within which to deliver the requested information to the user. The requested information is retrieved, formatted for the preferred delivery medium, and then delivered to the user in the preferred medium. If the information is delivered to a user in multiple media, a consistent format among the various delivery media is maintained. The integrity of information delivered to a user is also verifiable, regardless of the delivery medium.

Abstract: Sheets or sets of sheets are turned very rapidly and reliably, especially after the cutting of endless stationery, conveyed further in a different transport direction and separated in that the leading edge of each sheet is taken to a diagonal bending slot (33) via which a corner of each sheet first reaches an output slot (49).